UNIST Recognized as Top Employer for People with Disabilities

Embracing diversity in the workplace

The Korea Employment and Promotion Agency for the Disabled (KEAD) has awarded UNIST its 2017 Outstanding Employer of Persons with Disabilities Award. UNIST is one of the 16 public organizations to receive the recognition and the only Ulsan-based organization to earn this title.

The Outstanding Employer of Persons with Disabilities Award is given to an employer who has been instrumental in removing barriers to employment for persons with disabilities. This annual recognition is a new effort by KEAD to recognize organizations that demonstrate exemplary hiring and employment practices for people with disabilities.

Being designated one of the nation’s best diversity employer is one of many distinctions that UNIST has received over the past year, including the 2017 True Company Award for embracing disability in the workplace. These achievements are largely due to its efforts in promoting disability inclusion in the workplace.

Last May, UNIST has also signed the Agreement Project on Employment Promotion for the Disabled with the Korea Employment and Promotion Agency for the Disabled (KEAD) to promote employment inclusion for people with disabilities.

Recently, UNIST has also set up its own budget plan, as well as disability benefits to help improve employment opportunities for the disabled. In addition, the recently constructed buildings at UNIST are certified as “Barrier Free (BF)” buildings to provide convenience for people with disabilities in mind. Moreover, through the distribution of telephones capable of video calling, UNIST has been also helping the hearing-impaired to communicate effectively with others in the workplace.

Currently, 32 out of 1,094 employees working at UNIST are identified as having disabilities. This number also includes 10 severely handicapped persons. The employment rate for the disabled is 3.83%, far exceeding 3.2%, the mandatory employment quota system for people with disabilities.

“We are honored to be recognized for our inclusive and diverse culture which defines UNIST as a great place to work,” says President Mooyoung Jung of UNIST. “This recognition reinforces our commitment of being an employer that values the abilities of all employees.”